Country Public Affairs Head, Taiwan

Role summary

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The Country Public Affairs Head, Taiwan will lead Novartis’s public affairs strategy and engagement with government, policymakers, industry associations, patient groups, and other external stakeholders. Requirements typically include a bachelor’s degree, substantial experience in public affairs, government relations, communications, healthcare policy, or the pharmaceutical industry, and a strong understanding of Taiwan’s healthcare and reimbursement environment. Fluency in Mandarin and English, excellent stakeholder-management skills, and experience working in a multinational organization are expected. The successful candidate should be politically aware, credible, ethical, commercially minded, and able to translate policy developments into business priorities. The role also requires strong communication, influencing, strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and crisis-management abilities.

About the employer

Novartis is a Switzerland-headquartered global medicines company focused on innovative pharmaceuticals. Its major areas include cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, immunology, neuroscience, oncology, and hematology. The company researches, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines for patients worldwide, working with healthcare professionals, governments, researchers, and patient organizations. Novartis operates across many countries and combines scientific research with data, technology, and partnerships to address significant health challenges. In Taiwan, its activities involve supporting access to innovative treatments, engaging with healthcare stakeholders, and contributing to discussions about healthcare policy and system sustainability. The organization generally emphasizes scientific excellence, patient impact, ethical conduct, inclusion, and collaboration. Country public affairs leadership therefore connects local policy priorities with the company’s broader mission and business strategy.

Working in Taiwan

Taiwan offers strong opportunities in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology, semiconductors, manufacturing, finance, education, and international business. Taipei is the main hub for multinational companies and government relations, while Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung also provide growing professional markets. The culture blends Chinese traditions, Indigenous heritage, Japanese influence, and modern urban life. People value relationship-building, respect, punctuality, and practical collaboration; Mandarin is important, although English is common in multinational workplaces. Lifestyle highlights include excellent public transport, night markets, mountain landscapes, hot springs, beaches, and relatively affordable healthcare and daily services. Foreign professionals generally need an employer-sponsored work permit and an Employment Gold Card may be available to qualified specialists. Dependants can often accompany workers, subject to immigration rules. Before relocating, arrange housing, health insurance, tax registration, and document authentication, and seek current advice from Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency or an employer’s mobility team.